Thursday, February 10, 2011

Fear and Loathing: Marshal Law

That man to your left?  The guy wearing the bondage mask and holding up sign asking if Public Spirit is a rapist?  That's Marshal Law.  In 1987 Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill introduced him to the world through Epic Comics.

For me it was love at first sight.  Bondage gear goes a long way with me, I guess.  That and barbed wire wrapped around the arm and a job that involves hunting heroes didn't hurt any either.  It was dark, funny stuff that was the antidote for titles like Web of Spider-Man.

The character has jumped from company to company and cross-over to cross-over.  Original output has been pretty scarce, however.  Perhaps it was too dark.  Perhaps it was because it poked fun of many sacred comic book icons.  Or maybe it was the cross-overs.  It doesn't really matter.  The stories have all but stopped, and that's a shame for the fans of this character.

Marshal Law is no Superman, Batman, Spider-Man or even Iron Man.  That said, he is unforgettable.  His unapologetic way of dealing with the heroes he has had to go up against sets him apart from most of the pack.  His costume also does the same.  Just looking at him is painful.  He needs a regular book, and he needs it now.

Until that day comes, I have my back issues ... and violent, violent memories.

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